Portable electroacoustical apparatus



Oct. 16, 1951 E. F. ANDREWS 2,571,514

PORTABLE ELECTROACOUSTICAL APPARATUS Filed March 17, L947 2 SHEETS-SHEET l J7? wm or jdzaarajlwdrezas jzza eys Oct. 16, 1951 E. F. ANDREWSPORTABLE ELECTROACOUSTICAL APPARATUS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 17,1947 w 2% A M A M m 0 0 Edward 1 J 5140/0 IIECE/VER I W T Patented Oct.16,1951

AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE ELECTROACOUSTICAL APPARATUS EdwardF. Andrews, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 17, 1947, Serial No. 735,078

14 Claims.

. My invention relates to portable electro-acoustical apparatus,including portable radio apparatus.

One. purpose is to provide improved portable electro-acousticalapparatus adapted to be operated and transported on the person of theoperator.

Another purpose is to provide electro-acoustical apparatus in whichheavier parts of the apparatus are employed to maintain other parts ofthe apparatus in predetermined relation to the head'of the operator.

Another purpose is to provide electro-acoustical apparatus in whichspeakers, microphones and the like are conveniently positioned inrelation to the head of the user.

Another purpose is to provide improved antenna means for portable radioapparatus, which isheld erect and positioned by the heavier parts of theapparatus. I

Another purpose is to provide an electro-acoustical apparatus having anelectro-acoustical [transducer mounted on. the shoulder engaging upperportion of a support, and positioned relative to the operators head by alower and heavier part of the same structure.

Another purpose is to provide a support for an electro-acousticaltransducer which constitutes both a mechanical and electrical connectionto a lower, heavier part of the same apparatus.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of thespecification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings, where- Figure 1 is a perspective illustrating anem i bodiment of my invention;

* Figure '5 is a partial front view of the structure shown in Figure 4;Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure e including a schematicwiring diagram;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a variant form of the invention;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figurel;

Figure 9 is a section on the line 99 of Figure 1; and

v sulating material.

Figure 10 is a schematic front elevation of another form of theinvention.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specificationand drawings.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the operator. I illustrates ashoulder engaging plate or base which may form part of or be secured toa carrying structure 2, and is preferably of in- As shown in Figure 4,the base I is provided with any suitable loop or aperture defining abracket'or brackets 3 through which the carrier 2, which is preferablyflexible, may pass. As shown in Figure 5 I illustrate two of thesemembers 3. The carrier may, if desired, be secured to the base I by anysuitable means, to prevent their unintended relative movement. As shownin Figure 1 a single carrier 2 is employed, which has a. rear portionshown in dotted line and indicated at 2a. in Figure 1. The two portionsare shown as continuous and as forming a bottom loop 4 which maysurround any suitable container 5, with its lid 6, and its aperturedefining members I, through which the carrier passes. As will be clearfrom Figure 1 the member 5 is so located as to be adapted, by itsweight, to hold the base I, or the upper shoulder engaging part of thecarrier 2, fixed in predetermined position in relation to the shoulderof the operator, and in relation to his head. An importantcharacteristic .of my invention, and of all the forms thereof hereinillustrated, is that the flexible carrier 2, or its equivalent, has adepending lower part which supports an apparatus of substantial weight,such as the container 5 and its contents; This weight positions orstabilizes the base I, or the upper and shoulder engaging part of. thecarrier 2', and permits it to support upwardly'extending members in apredetermined relaceiving apparatus diagrammatically indicated at f I 0.The container 5 may, also carry any suitable batteries. ll; Thusthefiqntainer 5 holds the heavy portion of a radio "outfit, and employsthe heavy portion to stabilizea platform or base upon which otherportions of the radio outfit may be positioned. With further referenceto Figure 1, I illustrate an earphone or speaker generally indicated atl2. This speaker-is shown in some detailin Figures 4 and 5, andismounted on the base I by means of bracket lugs l3 secured by bolts orrivets l4. Pivoted to each lug I3 is a link I5. Pivoted to the upperlinks l5 are addit'ional links l6, between the outer ends of which arepivoted the speaker l2. Preferably the above described parts are pivotedtogether by frictional joints, whereby the speaker I2 will stay in theposition of adjustment in which it is set. It may normally be positionedadjacent the ear of the operator, as shown in Figure l, or it may bedepressed to the collapsed or dotted line position in which the partsare shown in Figure 4. The operator can set the speaker [2 where hewishes it, and can control the loudness with which he hears its signalby varying its distance from his ear. 'ihus, the member I2 may operateeither like a headphone, or like a loudspeaker, depend ing on whetherthe signal is loud or faint, and on whether or not the listener wishesto prevent others from listeningin. For example, he can tune down theradio, and then set the speaker 12 close to his ear, to operate as anearphone.

With further reference to Figure 4, it will be further understood thatwhen the member i2 is out of use, it can be inverted in the flatposition, to prevent exposure or damage by sun or rain. Also, it may beset at any desired angle, when it is in contact with or closelyapproaching the base portion 2, and, in such position, can serve as aloudspeaker. Whereas in Figures 4 and 5 is shown a pair of linkageconnections, it will be understood that a single linkage connection maybe employed. In that event, an additional wire can be used. The support2 constitutes both a mechanical and an electrical connection between theapparatus I0 and the speaker l2, as will be later pointed out.

With reference to the form of Figure 7, I illustrate an alternativestructure in which two separate carriers or supports 20, a each supportat their lower end a container 2| or 2 la. At the upper shoulderengaging portion of 20 and 20a are base portions 22 and 22a. Thesupports 20 and 20a are cross-connected by cross members 23 and 23a, ofwhich the latter is provided with a connecting buckle 24, forconvenience in applying or removing the equipment from the opera- 'tor.

Mounted on the base 22 is a speaker 25, ad-

justably mounted on the linkage generally indicated as 26. I alsoillustrate a whip or rod type antenna 21 which may be positioned eitheron the base 22 or on the base 22a. The antenna may be of any desiredlength. If of light material, it can be made of substantial height,resulting in an increased pick-up. I may, for example, employ a whipantenna of aluminum as high as 6 feet. Positioned on the base 22a Iillustrate a microphone '28. The microphone is preferably adjustable toany desired position in relation to the mouth. I diagrammaticallyillustrate a swivel connection 29 and an intermediate rod or supportingelement 29a, whereby the microphone is adjustable to a sidewise positionin relation to the mouth. It will be realized that a wide variety ofsupporting and adjusting means may be employed. The same is true of theparticular supporting and adjusting means illustrated in connection withthe speakers l2 or 25.

With reference to the form of Figure 10, the support structure isgenerally equivalent to the form of Figure 7 but individual supports 3|]and 30a are used, which cross the body in the same baldric fashion asthe single support 2. Each of the members 30 or 30a has its supportedcontainer 3| or Ma and its top shoulder engaging portion or base 32 and32a, on which are positioned the speaker 33 and the microphone 35. Asabove states, in connection with the other figures, it will beunderstood that the details of support and adjustment of microphone andspeaker may be widely varied. The form of Fi ure 10 may beadvantageously employed in connection with a portable voice recordingand reproducing apparatus. One of the supported containers may carryrecording and reproducing apparatus and the other may carry theappropriate batteries, the batteries and the recording and reproducingapparatus being provided with any suitable conductive connections whichinclude the speaker and the microphone in any suitable recording andreproducing system.

Whereas I have illustrated a whip antenna 21 in Figure 7, it will beunderstood that in various forms of my invention I may employ either awhip antenna, or an antenna forming part of the carrier, or both. Thusin Figure 1 I illustrate at 60 an antenna inlet which may be used ifdesired.

With reference to the conductive connections and the conductive portionsof the device, the carrier 2 may be of any suitable material which iseither electrically insulating or can support electric insulation. Iillustrate for example insulated conductors 50, 51 and 52. The numberand arrangement of conductors depends upon the particular apparatusemployed. For example in Figures 8 and 9, which are sections on thelines 88 and 9--9 of Figure 1, I illustrate but a single conductor, theaerial conductor 52. The carrier, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 includes arelatively thick flexible strip 2b and a somewhat thinner flexible strip20 stitched or otherwise secured to 2b as by stitching 2d.

With reference to Figure 6, I00 indicates any suitable radio receiverapparatus, the details of which do not in themselves form part of thepresent invention and are therefore not indicated. Illl indicates anysuitable step-down transform er. However, a transformer need notnecessarily be employed, and I do not wish to limit myself to anyparticular receiver.

In Figure 6 the conductors 50 and 5| are shown in circuit with the coilof a transformer lill. The conductor 50 extends to one of the bracketsl3 and the conductor 5| to the other. The relation of these brackets tothe speaker or earphone I2 is illustrated in Figure 5. The brackets areinsulated apart on the base I, which is of insulating material. The twobrackets and their linkages therefore constitute conductive connectionsfor putting the speaker [2 in circuit with the radio receiver or withits transformer. The antenna conductor 52 extends to any suitable socket60. It will be understood that while the conductor 52 may itselfconstitute a sufficient antenna, an additional antenna, for example ofthe whip type, may be inserted in the socket B0. In Figure 8 Iillustrate a button $3, electrically connected to the antenna wire 52,whereby the operator may obtain an increased antenna effect by merelyapplying his finger to the button.

It will be understood that similar wiring arrangements may be employedin alternative application of my invention. Thus in the form of Figure 7any suitable wiring may be employed to connect the microphone 28 withits associated electric apparatus. It will be understood that anysuitable conductive cross-connections may be employed on the straps 23or 23a. Similarly, any suitable circuit may be used with the form ofFigure 10, and the carrier strips 30 and 3% may be conductivelycross-connected in any suitable fashion.

Note that in Figure '1 a pocket 21a. is provided into which} the antennamay be inserted. This is particularly convenient where a telescopicantenna is employed which can be entirely received scribed and shown apractical and operative de-" vice, and several modifications thereof,nevertheless many changes may be made in "the'size, shape, number anddisposition of parts, without departing from the scope of my invention.I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broadsense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to thespecific showing herein. I

It will be understood that I employ the term electro-acousticalapparatus to include but not to be limited to one-way or two-way radioequipment, and recording and reproducing equipment.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I illustrate broadly a system of mounting electro-acoustical apparatusor electro-magnetic apparatus on the person of an operator.

Taking one typical example, the structure of Figure l, I may mount aradio receiving mechanism in }a container at the lower end of theflexible support 2, employing the single flexible support also toposition the speaker base and speaker, so that the speaker is in properrelation to the head or ear of the user.

I may also provide an antenna on thespeaker base, and this antenna isalso held, in proper erect position, by the weight of the set at thebottom of the flexible support 2.

It will be understood that my invention lends itself equally well toelectro-mechanical or electro-magnetic mechanisms, such as soundrecorders and reproducers. If I employ the form of Figure 1 for thatpurpose, with the recorder and. reproducer equipment in the container 5,I may find it advantageous to employ a single member, which will serveboth as a microphone and as a speaker. Members of a wide variety ofstructure may be employed for this purpose. vI may for example, take thestructure of Figure 4 and swivel the bottom member I3. In that event,

it might be preferable to use but a single linkage. By swiveling thesingle bottom member N, at the securing point I4, I then obtain asufficient flexibility of mounting of the member l2 to permit it to bepositioned in front of the mouth of the user, as a microphone, or infront of the ear of the user, as a speaker.

n In relation to the form of carrier of- Figure 7, I find itadvantageous, under some circumstances, to employ a belt connected tothe containers 2| and 2la, which holds them snugly against the body,even when the user is walking fast or running. This is advantageous forexample in connection with the use of my invention in militaryoperations or formations.

It will be understood, of course, that a belt may be used in connectionwith a single container, as in Figure 1. In such event, the belt assistsin stabilizing and positioning the top support I, to hold the transducerin proper position.

In all forms of my invention herein shown, it will be understood that Imay employ separate containers for batteries, if desired.

I claim:

1. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator, a carrying and connecting member having ashoulder engaging upper portion and a depending lower portion, a speakermounted on said shoulder engaging upper portion, and a radio receiver ofgreater weight than said speaker carried by said lower portion, andelectrically conductive means associated with said member, connectingsaid radio receiver to said speaker, said speaker, radio receiver andcarrying and connecting member forming a unitary structure supportablefrom the shoulder of an erect operator with said radio receiver ofgreater weight at the bottom being adapted to maintain the unitarystructure in gravitally stable equilibrium with said speaker stablypositioned thereby in predetermined position in relation to the hea andshoulder of the user.

2. In radio apparatus transportable and operable on the person of anoperator, a strap like carrying and connecting means having a shoulderengaging upper portion and a depending lower portion, an antenna mountedon said shoulder engaging upper portion and having a substantialgenerally vertical extension thereabove, a radio apparatus ofsubstantial weight, carried by said lower portion and connectedelectrically and mechanically to said antenna by s'aid carrying andconnecting means, the weight of said radio apparatus being suflicient inrelation to the weight of said antenna to hold said shoulder engagingupper portion with the antenna in predetermined relation to the shoulderof the operator.

3. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator, strip-like carrying and connecting means having ashoulder engaging upper portion,'and a depending lower portion, anelectro-acoustical transducer mounted on said shoulder engaging upperportion, apparatus of a weight greater than that of the transducercarried by said lower portion, conductive means connecting saidtransducer and said last mentioned apparatus, said transducer, apparatusand carrying and connecting means forming a unitary structuresupportable from the shoulder of an erect operator with said apparatusof greater weight at the bottom and providing gravitally stableequilibrium, with said transducer stably positioned thereby adjacent thehead of the user.

4. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator, strap like carrying and connecting means having ashoulder engaging upper portion and a depending lower portion, a speakermounted on said shoulder engaging upper portion and positioned therebyrelative to the operators ear, a radio receiver. of substantial weight,carried by said lower portion and connected electrically andmechanicallyto said speaker by said carrying and connecting means, andsupporting means for said speaker adapted to permit a substantialadjustment'of said speaker toward and away from the ear of the user, theweight of said radio receiver being suflicient in relation to the weightof said speaker to maintain the speaker by gravity upon the shoulder ofthe user andin the general vicinity of the user's ear.

5. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of. an operator, strap like carrying and connecting means havinga shoulder engaging upper portion and a depending lower portion, aspeaker mounted on said shoulder engaging upper portion and positionedthereby relative to the operator's ear, apparatus of substantial weight,carried by said lower portion and connected electrically andmechanically to said peaker by said carrying and connecting means, andsupporting means for said speaker adapted to permit a substantial adjustment of said speaker toward and away from the ear of the user, saidapparatus including a radio receiver, said connecting means including aportion adapted to serve as antenna for said radio receiver, the weightof said apparatus b'eingsufiicient in relation to the weight of saidspeaker to maintain the speaker gravitally in the general vicinity ofthe ear of the user.

6. In radio apparatus transportable and operable on the person of anoperator, strap like carrying and connecting mean having a shoulderengaging upper portion and a depending 1 lower portion, an antennamounted :on said shoulder engaging upper portion and having asubstantial generally vertical extension, a speaker mounted on saidupper portion, a radio apparatus of greater weight than said antenna andspeaker, carried by said lower portion and connected electrically andmechanically to said antenna and to said speaker by said carrying andconnecting means, said radio apparatus being adapted by its weight tohold said antenna in upright position, with said speaker inpredetermined relation to the ear of the operator, the said carrying andconnecting means, with the transducer and the radio apparatus,constituting a unitary structure upportable from the shoulder of anerect operator, the apparatus of greater weight being adapted tomaintain said unitary structure in gravitally stable equilibrium.

7. In radio apparatus transportable and perable on the person of anoperator, strap like carrying and connecting means having a shoulderengaging upper portion and a depending lower portion, an antenna mountedon said shoulder engaging upper portion and having a substantialgenerally vertical extension, a speaker mounted on said upper portion, aradio apparatus of substantial weight, carried by said lower portion andconnected electrically and mechanically to said antenna and to saidspeaker by said carrying and connecting means, the weight of said radioapparatus being suflicient in relation to the weight of said speaker andantenna to hold said antenna 'in upright position, with said speaker inpredetermined relation to the ear of the operator, and suppor-ting meansfor said speaker adapted to positionsai-d speaker for a substantialrange of adjustment toward and away from the ear of the operator.

8. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator, a pair of carrying and connecting straps eachhaving a shoulder engaging upper portion and a depending lower "portion,a microphone mounted on one of said shoulder engaging up- 7 per portionsand an earphone mounted on the 8 other, an apparatus of substantialweight, carried by each said lower portion, and connected electricallyand mechanically to said microphone and earphone by said carrying andconnecting means, at least one of said lower portions containing radioapparatus, said apparatus being of suflicient weight in relation to theweight of the microphone and the earphone to maintain the microphone andearphone gravitally positioned upon the shoulders of the operator and anantenna mounted on one of said shoulder portions, said apparatus beingadapted by its weight to maintain the carrying and connecting straps andthe microphone and earphone in gravitally stable equilibrium, with saidmicrophone and earphone in predetermined position in relation to theshoulder and head of the user.

9. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator, a pair of carrying and connecting straps eachhaving a shoulder engaging upper portion and a depending lower portion,electro-acoustical transducers mounted on each said shoulder engagingupper portion, an apparatus of greater weight than each said transducer,carried by each said lower portion, and connected electrically andmechanically to one or more of said transducers by said carrying andconnecting means, the weight of said apparatu being adapted andpositioned gravitally to maintain the carrying straps and theelectro-acoustical transducer in stable, gravital equilibrium, with thetransducer in predetermined position upon the shoulder of the operator,said connecting means having conductive portions conductibly connectedto each other;

.10. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable onthe person of an operator, strap-like carrying and connecting meanshaving a shoulder engaging upper portion and a depending lower portion,transducer means adjustably mounted on said shoulder engaging upperportion, adapted to act as a microphone and as a speaker, a recordingand reproducing apparatus supported on a lower portion of said carryingand connecting means, said carrying and connecting means constituting amechanical and an electrical connection between said apparatus and saidtransducer, and a supporting connection for said transducer adapted toposition said transducer selectively at widely various positions inrelation to the ear and mouth of the operator, said recording andreproducing apparatus being of greater weight than the transducer, thestrap-like carrying and connecting means being adaped to move freely inresponse to the gravital pull of the excess weight of the recording andreproducing apparatus whereby, in response to such weight differential,the shoulder engaging upper portion of the straplike carrying andconnecting means and the transducer are gravitally held by the recordingand reproducing apparatus in a predetermined (position in relation tothe shoulder and head of and adapted to adjust said transducer into asition upon the shoulder of the operator including a flexible strap likemember extending over the shoulder of the operator and apparatus ofsubstantial weight carried by the lower portion of said strap likemember adapted by its weight and its position on said flexible straplike member gravitally to position and hold said support, at the upperend of said strap like member, upon the shoulder of the operator, saidadjustable connection including a pair of links the first of said linksbeing pivoted to said support at one end,

and to a second link at the other, said second link being pivoted to thetransducer, the pivotal connections between the two links and betweeneach link and the transducer having generally parallel and generallyhorizontal axes.

12. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator standing in an erect position, a carrying andconnecting member having a shoulder engaging upper portion and adepending lower portion, an electro-acoustical transducer mounted on theshoulder engaging upper portion, an apparatu of greater weight than thetransducer carried by said lower portion and connected to saidtransducer and positioned and adapted to maintain the carrying andconnecting member, together with the electro-acoustical transducer andthe apparatus of greater weight, in a condition of stable gravitalequilibrium with the transducer in predetermined relation to theoperators head, and electrically conductive means associated with saidconnecting member, and connecting said last mentioned apparatus to saidtransducer.

13. In an electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator standing in an erect position, a carrying andconnecting member having a shoulder engaging upper portion and adepending lower portion, an electro-acoustical transducer mounted on theshoulder engaging upper portion, an apparatus of greater weight than thetransducer carried by said lower portion and connected to saidtransducer and positioned and adapted to maintain the carrying andconnecting member, together with the electro-acoustical transducer andthe apparatus of greater weight, in a condition of stable gravitalequilibrium with the transducer in predetermined relation to theoperators head, and electrically conductive means associated with saidconnecting member, and connecting said last mentioned apparatus to saidtransducer, said electro-acoustical transducer including an ear pieceadjustable toward and away from the ear of the operator.

14. An electro-acoustical apparatus transportable and operable on theperson of an operator, including a separate transducer unit of lightweight and a stabilizing main unit of greater weight, a positioning andconnecting member including associated electro-conductive means havingan upper portion passing over and engaging the shoulder of an erectoperator and a lower portion extending downward from the upper portionsubstantially below the operators armpit, means for connecting andmounting said transducer unit on and above said upper portion, means forconnecting and supporting said stabilizing unit from and below saidlower portion, whereby said units are electrically connected and thegreater weight of said stabilizing unit tends to position and maintainthe lighter transducer unit in fixed relation to the head of theoperator requiring that the heavier stabilizing unit be raised againstthe force of gravity to effect substantial displacement of thetransducer unit.

EDWARD F. ANDREWS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 306,296 Vail Oct. 7, 18841,993,436 Eberhard Mar. 5, 1935 2,101,033 Mashber Dec. 7, 1937 2,285,083Cover June 2, 1942 2,348,138 Latus May 2, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 228,675 Great Britain Feb. 12, 1925 614,342 France Dec. 11,1926 333,262 Italy Dec. 14, 1935 360,932 Italy July 8, 1938 OTHERREFERENCES Popular Science Monthly, August 1938, page 78. 0PopularScience Monthly, December 1936, page 4

